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'Nashville' Recap: Farther On

How is Highway 65 doing as the company moves farther on without Rayna?

By S GracePublished 7 years ago 13 min read
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Source: @NashvilleCMT

Rayna was always a fighter and many fans have missed that aspect of Nashville since she has been gone. However, that fighting spirit was very much alive on Episode 21, “Farther On”.

Deacon receives a text inviting him to play at the Opry as a feature performer. Daphne and Maddie are ecstatic for him especially since normally the offer would be every country singer’s dream. Nonetheless, Deacon is hesitant because he has been so busy with Highway 65 he has not even had time for himself.

Also having a tough time with her career decisions, Maddie has an absolute hellish experience shooting a commercial for mascara. Not only does she have to wear a wetsuit under a ballroom-esque gown (that just sounds like it would feel miserable) because water pours down onto her as she sings her hit song "Saved," the director also makes her do it over and over. She even complains to Daphne and Deacon that Mascara 24 is trying to turn her into a character and it feels like it is not even her.

After the first day of shooting, Maddie attends a party hosted by Mascara 24 to celebrate her collaboration with the company alongside Alyssa, Highway 65’s marketing guru. Strangely enough, Maddie does not sing at the party regardless of the fact she’s Mascara 24’s newest star although she probably just needs a break after the day she’s had. As they are leaving, everyone at the party convinces Alyssa to sing, an offer she initially declines but gives into saying, “I’m only doing this because—margarita”.

As she takes a drink and starts to sing, Maddie watches from the doorway and the look in her eyes can only be described as the look Rayna used to get when she spotted potential talent for the label. Although there is never actually a scene where Maddie calls Alyssa out on her talent, it is definitely implied Maddie was impressed.

In the studio, Jessie and Deacon are working on Jessie’s album and upon hearing about Deacon’s possible gig even Jessie agrees it’s ridiculous he is acting like he’s contemplating it, stating “who second guesses an invite to play at the Opry?” Deacon admits to Jessie that he doesn’t know what he’s doing with Highway 65 and misses Rayna saying, “I keep telling myself I’m doing it for the girls, for the artists but I mean, I just wish I could talk to her like we used to.” FINALLY some indication that Deacon hasn’t forgotten about Rayna. Lately, it has seemed like the writers are forgetting her legacy on the show.

Back in Texas, Avery takes multiple calls from Juliette trying to be supportive even from far away. He’s always so loyal and his loyalty is especially shown in this episode as the writers once again flirt with the fact he may cheat on the road.

Not only are fangirls falling all over Avery and Gunnar as they get off of stage, but the girl who is touring with them also has the hots for Avery and is very much against how Juliette keeps counting on him for everything. You can tell Avery does not care much for this crazy girl’s relationship advice and he responds to with, Am I just supposed to pick and choose the times I’m there for her?”

He also points out a relationship is about being there for each other. Avery we love and respect how loyal you are!

Just one day after Maddie’s party, Alyssa is informed the president of Mascara 24 is unhappy with the song for the commercial and is concerned a song about a tidal wave is not about mascara. He’s not wrong. Although the concept is supposed to be that even a tidal wave cannot wash it off, Alyssa is informed they want to change the lyrics of Maddie’s song from “Got me racing my heart now and I’m fading out” to “I got my Mascara 24 and I’m not fading out" in order to make the concept more clear. Alyssa tells them she is not sure how Maddie’s going to react to the changes.

Just as Alyssa expects, the new song lyrics do not sit well with Maddie. As Deacon’s rehearsing for the Opry, Zach calls him and tells him he needs to talk to Maddie because they want to change her lyrics and she is upset and had a total meltdown and the client (Mascara 24) is freaking out. To be honest it sounds like you’re freaking out, Zach.

Like any great Dad, Deacon calls it a day with his own practice and goes to check on Maddie. As soon as he walks in the door, her first words are, “Please don’t make me do this.”

Remember last season when Maddie was ready to take on the world of stardom without her parents? It does not seem she is quite ready for that now. Deacon tells her it isn’t about him making her do it but rather helping her understand being a grown up means sometimes doing things you don’t want to do. Maddie replies, “Then I don’t want to be a grown up.”

A comment to which he responds, “Yeah, me neither.” Man, we feel both of you. Adulting is hard.

However, after Maddie explains that her music is everything to her and how she thinks the lyric change will undermine her artistry, Deacon agrees. He always supports her creative direction.

Deacon calls a meeting with Zach and Alyssa regarding the changes and explains that this is Maddie’s first big song and “How the world hears it will shape her entire career.”

Zach disagrees and points out that Brad Paisley’s career wasn’t hurt by his Nationwide commercial. Deacon argues that he was already an established artist but Zach says the commercial would "launch Maddie". Deacon insists Maddie does not agree and neither does he. Alyssa questions if Deacon is talking about Maddie breaching her contract and Deacon says no because this was never part of the deal.

Well it turns out Deacon did sign off on a contract that stated the company could change the lyrics (in more technical language but nevertheless that they had the right to change things).

Deacon blames Zach for lying to the artists and him because “That is not how any of this was pitched!” Of course, Zach then plays the victim and accuses Deacon of never truly believing he had Highway 65’s best interests at heart. Deacon brushes off the comment and says he was always supportive of him but Zach claims that is “only because Rayna wanted" him to.

Man, if he would have said that to Deacon last season, Deacon would have punched this guy through a freaking wall. Sometimes, the Deacon that was in need of anger-management is missed. After all, who is this guy to bring up Rayna in the argument for no apparent reason?

Anyway, Zach ends up threatening Deacon by telling him if he cannot “get Maddie in line” then he has no choice but to give his 90 day notice as per their contract and at the end of the 90 days Highway 65 will be out of money.

Damn, fans have already been posting on social media about not liking Zach, they are REALLY going to hate him now.

Deacon calls an emergency meeting with the artists in his kitchen to catch everyone up on what is going on with Highway 65. Will, Scarlett and Maddie attend and Gunnar FaceTimes in. Deacon mentions Hallie and Juliette could not make it and he will talk with them individually.

Why bring Hallie on the show if she is never going to be on it? Fans have started to notice she has pretty much disappeared after Juliette flipped out on her earlier in the season.

Deacon fills them in on Zach demanding they change Maddie’s lyrics and how Zach originally pitched the marketing and brand stuff as “an experiment” they could go on with as long as they were comfortable but that is not the truth. Will asks what their options are and Deacon says that they need to figure out what it is they believe and how much they are willing to sacrifice for it.

He also says “for Maddie, she feels like changing the lyrics to her song undermines the integrity of the song and herself as an artist. Scarlett quickly agrees and states, “It is one thing to sell products for them and it is another to change the words to your music. It’s part of who you are.”

Gunnar agrees saying, “Yeah, no question. This would be any one of us. That’s going too far.”

Deacon then tells them, “If we don’t do things his [Zach’s] way, he’s going to walk and that would pretty much mean the end of Highway 65.”

Upon hearing this, Maddie says she’ll change her song, fearing she’ll be the reason the label dies but Scarlett says they won’t let her do that and they’re all in this together.

Daphne agrees saying “What’s the point of Highway 65 if it’s not what mom wanted it to be?” Good point, Daphne!

Gunnar is in agreement and points out Rayna signed them because she loved their songs not because she saw dollar signs. However, he also said Deacon is the one Rayna trusted to steer the company and ultimately it has to be his decision.

Will and everyone agrees and no matter what, says they will stand with him.

After the meeting, Juliette talks to Avery on the phone and seems to be the only one not in agreement as she complains that they should not all have to suffer just because Maddie will not “budge on some lyrics.”

However, Avery seems to disagree because when Juliette asks his opinion, he tells her that it is okay if they disagree to which she questions whether he is mad at her or if he is having an affair. You're forever jumping to conclusions, Juliette! Avery just laughs and asks her if she is crazy. She is, we all know that but that is beside the point.

Jessie pulls up to Highway 65 just as Deacon’s leaving and tells him to get into the car. He declines and says he has about ten other things to do but she says she is not asking, she is telling him. Wow, bossy much? Deacon reluctantly gets into the car only to have Jessie drive them to some sort of remote park/nature walk place in what seems like the middle of nowhere.

Upon arrival, Jessie tells him to get out of the car and go take an hour to himself. Deacon argues with her a bit but finally gets out of the car. Jessie then locks him out and pulls out a book to read. Frustrated, Deacon attempts to get a phone signal but can't and is forced to spend an hour in nature and take some time to himself.

Jessie’s tactics are questionable but we can all agree Deacon does deserve a break.

After the hour and he is back in the car with Jessie, he thanks her and admits that people ask him if he is okay all of the time and he knows that what they are really asking him is when he is going to move on but he can’t. Jessie seems to understand and says maybe he never will, well not completely.

She then goes on to say, “No one has a right to tell you how to do this y’know but do you think she’d want you to be in so much pain you forgot yourself? Don’t you think she’d want you to live this one life right now?”

Oh no, it is bad enough she is CMT’s replacement for Rayna but she should not be talking about what Rayna would have wanted. That’s not her place.

After having time to think things through, Deacon holds another meeting with Zach and Alyssa and tells them that he and all of the artists have come to a consensus that they are done with branding.

They accuse him of dismissing the concept but Deacon holds firm that it is just not right for them. Zach threatens that if Deacon opts out of marketing, it is over and Deacon simply replies, “We’re just doing what feels right to us, Zach. You should do the same."

This scene is all too reminiscent of the time Rayna said, “You can kiss my decision as it’s walking out the door" and we love it! Safe to say we’ve never been more proud of Deacon for standing up for what he believes in. Now that would have made Rayna proud!

Juliette ends up calling Avery to thank him for always being there for her even when she is being full of herself or difficult and says she and Cadence are really lucky to have him. YES! FINALLY cute Javery scene!

He smiles and tells her that goes both ways. Although he is happy with Juliette, the tour girl just will not let up and ends up telling Avery he is incredible and if he ever needs anything less complicated… well, she is down for getting with him. He uncomfortably replies thanks and the scene is just enough to make anyone want to send an email begging the writers to stop alluding to him possibly cheating because we know it is absolutely never going to happen.

As Deacon’s getting ready for the Opry, the girls come in to visit him. Daphne tells him he is amazing and calls him Dad (Since when did this happen? It is so cute!). Maddie walks in crying and Deacon immediately starts comforting Maddie telling her, “You did not do anything wrong. Listen to me, you did what you felt was right in your heart as an artist and that’s exactly what I should have done and that’s exactly what your momma wanted us all to do at Highway 65. So don’t cry.”

However, that’s not why Maddie’s crying and when asked why, she responds with, “Mom, would have been so proud of you, Dad and so am I. Go be great.” (Ah, and not a dry eye was in the building. Cue the heartfelt tears!)

When Deacon is welcomed onto the Opry stage the announcer explains that he has played at the Opry over 200 times but always alongside the late great Rayna Jaymes and this is the first time he has ever been invited into the circle by himself.

As he walks out on stage, the whole show becomes a tribute to Rayna as he reveals, “It’s hard to explain what it means for me to be here tonight— in this place Rayna loved so much but I’ll be honest with you, I’d give anything if I could be standing right there and she could be standing right here. This is for you, Rayna.”

He then sings a song called ‘Without You’, followed by ‘Simple as That’.

Before he closes, he explains his next song is one he wrote 15 years ago under very different circumstances but he “doesn’t believe it’s ever been more true than it is right now in this moment” and begins to sing ‘Good Rain or Jesus’.

All of the songs were beautiful and if singing your heart out could bring someone back from the dead, Rayna would have came alive during his performance. All of his heartbreak and all of his love for her could be felt in his song choices. Her spirit lives on.

In my opinion, this was the best show of the season because we finally got to feel how much Deacon loved Rayna and how much he misses her. Do you agree? Tweet me at @CMTNashvilleFan with your thoughts!

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About the Creator

S Grace

Writer. Social media enthusiast. TV fanatic. Lover of all things media related.

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